NATIONAL COUNCIL OF WOMEN.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 12351, 13 May 1902, Page 3 (Supplement)

NATIONAL COUNCIL OF WOMEN.

NAPIEK, May 8. The following resolution was adopted by the National Council of Women last evening:—"That iu view of the fact that numbers of children in this colony are seriously neglected, for which reason many havo become a menace to society, this council suggest that eottago homes should He established in various districts for the reception of sweh children, who (should there bo maintained until they are qualified for life's work.

At the meeting of the National Council of the Women of New- Zealand, held to-day, considerable discussion took place on tho duty of tho State to illegitimate children, and the following resolution* Were unanimously agreed to:—"That in view of the hardships annually imposed upon ranny innocent children by tho condition of illegitiraicr, and tho absolute iusolessne?.? as a deterrent from immorality of legal disabilities inflicted upon these children, it is high time that all such legal disqualifications were removed. That considering (a) tho great mortality among illegitimate ohildren, (b) the neglected condition of many of them who help to, iwMl Hip ranks of tho criminal and diseased, the council proposes (1) that tho State sliould make generous provision the maintenance, supervision, and education of all such children; (2) that naronts should be obliged to contribute according to. their mpanß to tho support of their children; (3) that t!ie-.o children, where paternity is proved, shall possess an equal status witll thoso born in Wedlock, and shall bo tered in tho name of the father; (4) that a public officer, who may lie. a woman, shall he appointed, whoso duty it would bo before the registration of the birth of an ilk-giii-mate child is completed to discover the parentage- where no«iblc with a view of enforcing the proper maintenance of tho child."

A paper on "Equal Pay for Equal Work," dealing with the different rates of wage's for male and fcnrnlc workers, was rend, and evoked a lengthy discussion.

May 11. The .National Council of the Women of New Zealaiid at llicir meeting yesterday discussed many points connected with the system of State education. The sub-coim mittoo on education set up at the annual Mooting of the council last year had during the year submitted u scrips ol questions to educationists and others interested in the matter, and received a large number of rel)li(Bj_ and tho following motions will be submitted to the council's consideration (in the subject:—"(l) That thb kindergarten sya. tern bo introdhced throughout tho infant schools of tho colony; (2) that mir pupil toaoliera should be pupil teaohers in reality, acting only.under suporvieion and having much moro free time for study; (3) that the EduriatioirAct be attended so as to make the Sixth Standard"pass compulsory, and that special provision be mado for tho abnormally ■ dull or deficient children to be educated separately; (4) that tlio staffs of our industrial schools should consist of men ami women of high culture; (5) that in tho opinion of this, council a systematio conrie of moral instruction should bo introduced into our board schools, and that each dolegato be invited to request his society to dlscues the question aa fully as possible before the next annual mooting." (This is not synonymous with Bible-teaohing in schools.)

Mrs H. Hill (Napier) read a paper on " Men's Rights and Women's Claims." and Mre Sievwright (Gisborho) contributed a paper on "Womon'a Disabilities." The following resolutions were passed:— "(1) That in the opinion of this council the timo has come when all disabilities which at present hinder women from sitting as members of either- of the Hoiisos of tlie Legislature, or fiom being elected or appointed to any public office or position in this colony, diould be removed, and that with regard to all powers, right, and duties of citizens absolute equality Should be the law of the land j (2) that the legal recognition of thb economic Independence of married women k desirable for tho attainment of justice and for the furtherance of a. true marriage relationship.